Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-11-07
THE T T
Some Interesting Remarks Upon the Same.
BELLAlKE, o, NoycGibe: 4, 1887.

Som" Interesting Remarks Upon the Same.
BELLAlKE, o, November 4, 1857.
To tie Editor Of De Register:
In sour interview with q. w. Atkinson,
published in Saturdays issue Of the REG
lsTER, in regard to the action Of the Grand
Lodge OF OHIO on the Scottish Rite contro-
versy, Mr.. Atkinson has not stated the
case fairly. l therefore deem it but Just
that both sides of the question he heard.
Mr.. A. should have told you that there are
four bodies of Scottish Rite Masons in the
United States; one known as the Northern
Jurisdiction, presided over by Henry l..
Palmer, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, another
known as the Southern Jurisdiction, pre-
sided over by Albert Pike, of Washington,
d. C. These two bodies are in fnternal
correspondence with each other and with
every legitimate body of the Rite on earth.
There are two OF the so called Cerneau
bodies, one known as the Thompson-F olger
combination, the other known as the Peck
ham Rite, each claiming to be the
genuine, original, Simon Pure" Germ
eau article, and each claiming exclusive
Jurisdiction over the United States,
us Territories and dependencies, neither
recognizing the other nor being recognized
by any regular, legitimate body Of Scottish
Rite Masons on the globe. These are
facts already proven by documentary ev-
idence," that l presume MIR. A. will not
undertake to deny. The former (Thomp-
son Folger) OF these so called Cerneau
bodies is the one with which the legiti-
mate bodies in Ohio are at war, the latter
(Peckham) is the one to which Mr.. A.
owes allegiance. Mr.. A considers 1t very
unwise on the part of thelGrand Lodge OF
Ohio to drag the Scottish Rite controversy
into the halls of Symbolic Masonry. The
Grand Lodge of Ohio has never done any
such thing. This illegitimate Cerneau
faction in Ohio forced the issue, and the
Grand Lodge of Ohio had to meet 1t.
| The Grand Lodge of Ohio being
fully committed to the doctrine OF ex-
elusive jurisdiction, cannot consistently
tolerate any infringement Of her rights. In
that respect, and therefore must accord
to other governing Masonic bodies the
same rights with reference to their subOr-
dinates. For many years there have been
in existence in this State bodies OF Scotch
Kite Masons on the roll OF the Supreme
Council of the Northern Jurisdiction
they have Jointly occupied halls with the
Lodge, Chapter, Council and Command
cry; peace and harmony has continually
prevailed amopga all these bodies, until the
advent of this, so. called Cerneau faction,
claiming equal rights as to Joint Occu-
pancy of halls, &c, with our regular
legitimate bodies. The Strand Lodge of
Ohio cmphaticallv said no; hence all this
controversy which has resulted in the
Grand Lodge of Ohio deciding by an over.
whelming majority that the so-called
Cerneau bodies were irregular, clandestine
and unmasonic.
No one knows better than MIR. A. that
when either of the irregular so-called
Cerneau bOdies-venders OF cheap Masonry
have invaded the territory oc-
cupied by either the Northern
or Southern jurisdictions, strife
and discOrd has been the natural result. 1t
has been so in Ohio, aud the same in
West Virginia, Notwithstanding Mr.. A.
tells sou that the question Of legitimacy
or illigitimacy of these Rites should never
be dragged into Blue Lodge or Templar
Masonry if he can help il. 1t is there all
the zane, if not in an organized form. Its
blighting influence has been sadly felt In
both bodies during the past two years.
J. K. URNELI,
A member of Il. l.. of Ohio.